"Mommy, Colin, Baby Sister... everybody LOVE."

Colin proclaimed this while giving us a group hug. Yes, the sibling revelry continues. And this, while he's on at least three different medicines (including 4x/day nebulizer treatments) for brochiolitis. (And I'm stressing about how to keep Hayden well, when Colin keeps trying to show his love for her!)

2008, so far, has been a banner health year for dear Colin!

It can only get better from here, right?

In the meantime, I'm still learning how to do things like make dinner or leave the house with an infant and a toddler. I've also discovered that I can't go to the supermarket unless Colin's at school, because an infant seat and a child cannot fit in a supermarket cart at the same time... unless you're not planning on getting any groceries.

When Colin was an infant, the shopping carts were just being changed over from "put your infant car seat up here, in front of you" to "we don't want your business, because infant car seats don't fit on our new carts, so screw you!"

So, naturally, I bought a new infant sling (because I can't find my New Native Carrier! BOO!) that I can carry Hayden in while Colin rides in the cart. It's a pink and chocolate Peanut Shell, and now I feel rather saucy!

Family Planning

Another fun conversation with a student. This eight-year-old girl knows what she wants from life.

Me: So what did you do on vacation after you came back from Idaho?
Student: I played with my kitchen. My sister and I played with it. We got it when I was a baby.
Me: Oh, and you still like it?
Student: Yeah. I never want to give it away. I want to keep it and then my children will have it.
Me: That's a great idea. How many children do you think you'll have?
Student: Three. My boyfriend and I decided three.
Me (surprised): Oh... uh, really?
Student: Yes. A girl and two boys. We planned it.
Me: Really.
Student: Yes. We decided. A girl and two boys, because they can share rooms. But we're going to live in Utah.
Me: Why Utah?
Student: It's better than California. And the houses are two levels.
Me: You're going to have a two-story house?
Student: No, FIVE story.

Remember... this kid is only eight! I wonder if her mom knows about this plan...

It was a fun way to come back from a one-week break. Except for still doing my private practice work, I went to a voice conference given by the entertaining and knowledgeable Dr. Kittie Verdolini. She's an amazing woman! What else... well, I exercised, and I hung out with my babykins. And, of course, I did some retail therapy. It's great to see all of the accessories being pushed by Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, and Gap... and then go to Target and get them for 1/3 of the price. ("But," you say, "They aren't the same quality!" Of course not. But accessories come and go... you just need them to last as long as they're in style. A really great black cashmere sweater they're not!)

And I watched the Oscars last night. I don't know when the last time was that I did that... even last year, it was a sporadic watch. I TiVo'd it and watched it over a bowl of lowfat ice cream (slow-churned, of course!). No surprises, but it was a pleasant time.

Well... back to the grind... time to write some reports!